Article by Enrique De La Cruz, 2025 High School Summer Fellow
Stepping into the Lab
The sharp clack of the door opening echoed as I stepped into my Principal Investigator Michelina Iacovino, PhD’s lab. My first task of the day awaited: entering the tissue culture room to feed my developing neural progenitor stem cells, immature cells that have the potential to grow into the many different types of cells that make up the brain and nervous system. This responsibility, introduced in the early weeks of my High School Summer Fellows (HSSFP) internship at The Lundquist Institute (TLI), marked the beginning of an eight-week journey filled with discovery. Carefully pipetting two milliliters of neural progenitor medium into a well containing over two million cells was the first step in a research process that would lead to new insights into Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare pediatric neurological disease. I had no idea at the time how deeply this work would resonate at the program’s culmination ceremony.
Finding my Place
The day I stepped into the lab after the HSSFP orientation, I saw two student researchers already interning and another from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine program deep in conversation. In that moment, I felt like a small piece of a complex puzzle, eager to learn about the dynamics of rare neurological disorders. It amazed me how TLI brought together aspiring medical researchers united by a drive to make a difference. Through HSSFP, I gained insight into the various paths people take to secure a research position. For the first time, I met others who shared my intention: to contribute to biomedical innovation and raise awareness of the health conditions many people endure.
Learning the Tools of Discovery
At first, many of the techniques introduced by my Principal Investigator and lab team felt completely foreign. Dr. Iacovino’s lab, which focuses on rare pediatric diseases, exposed me to tools ranging from simple pipettes to advanced computer imaging systems with laser microscopes. I quickly realized how much of a privilege it was to access equipment far beyond what I had been exposed to in high school. While learning these methods was daunting, I was fortunate to have guidance from lab tech Jenessa Nakagawa, B.S., and Sung Won Hur, PhD, who helped me navigate each step. Their support reminded me that asking for help is vital and that collaboration is essential to overcoming challenges in research.
Challenges into Breakthroughs
Mastering the lab’s technology was challenging, but it enabled me to produce research of a quality I never imagined, reflecting TLI’s commitment to innovation. Adjusting imaging settings to scan immunostained neurons and painstakingly tracing their intricate shapes to measure immunofluorescent signals was demanding. Yet the effort paid off when our data immediately confirmed our hypothesis. The process was especially rewarding given our focus on a rare pediatric disease, and working through each step deepened my understanding and helped me retain the scientific concepts I was investigating.
Presenting Science with Confidence
When it came time to assemble my poster and presentation for the culmination ceremony, I realized I had learned science the right way: through rigorous thinking and hands-on practice that deepened my medical knowledge. My experience gave me the ability to explain how Sanfilippo Syndrome develops, not from a textbook but from direct research. This authentic practice also gave me confidence to present my findings before dozens of TLI investigators and leaders. The HSSFP assured me that what I discovered about Sanfilippo Syndrome was true, eliminating the uncertainty that comes from relying solely on published studies or online sources.
The Power of Teamwork
For these reasons, I knew that when I stepped up to the podium, I was ready to present with both clarity and confidence. Explaining how the increased production of Aggrecan protein in perineuronal net structures – part of the brain’s extracellular matrix, or network of large molecules – affects neuronal plasticity and contributes to the development of Sanfilippo Syndrome no longer felt like something only a specialist could grasp. Through my HSSFP research, I gained the ability to explain this complex process in a way the public could understand, raising awareness of a rare disease that affects dozens of children across L.A. County. By sharing knowledge that could spark progress toward treatment, I felt I was contributing directly to TLI’s mission.
Why Programs like HSSFP Matter
The HSSFP reflects TLI’s mission by encouraging high school students to engage in the same research practices investigators use to advance the scientific community. Students take part in hands-on work that, while initially daunting, represents the high standards TLI upholds in its labs. The program offers a glimpse into the daily activities of future medical professionals. It provides students with an early view of what they may encounter in a lab setting years later.
This perspective gives high school students a real-world view of scientific practices in action, where collaboration, constructive guidance, and resilience are essential. Challenges are inevitable in research, as no project repeats the same procedures, and students are continually exposed to new topics and tools. A successful lab environment relies on teamwork, persistence even when protocols are complex, and openness to guidance. With these three qualities, tasks that once seemed impossible become achievable.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned, and advice I would give prospective lab students, is that your mentors and peers are your allies. Collaboration makes research smoother, stronger, and more impactful. I made it a point to value every piece of guidance from Dr. Iacovino, Dr. Sung, Jenessa, and fellow students, whether I was pipetting cells, immunostaining, or collecting data. Their support motivated me to practice science the right way and ensured that my final presentation was both professional and scientifically sound.
Participating in the HSSFP offers an experience no textbook can match. It gives students the chance to learn, hands-on, what it takes to become successful biomedical researchers while contributing to meaningful science at an early age. TLI ensures that students not only gain skills but also make a real impact in raising awareness of critical health conditions. For this reason, it is so important that The Lundquist Institute’s High School Summer Fellows Program remains accessible to future young researchers.
A Call to Support Future Scientists
Please consider donating to The Lundquist Institute to provide high school students with continued access to these unique opportunities, helping them grow into future medical professionals, contribute to scientific progress, and join a collaborative research community. Your support will go a long way in protecting programs like HSSFP, which hold immense potential for our biomedically inclined youth.
